The last remnant of a Royal Navy warship has been handed over to the town that adopted the Type 23 frigate and played host to its crew on many occasions.

Known throughout the navy as ‘The Black Duke’ the bell from HMS Monmouth was handed over to Monmouth Town Council last Friday.

As the ship - decommissioned in a surprise move last July - lies in Portsmouth harbour awaiting its fate, Lieutenant Commander Steve Reah, the last senior naval officer of the ‘Black Duke’ handed over the ship’s bell to Councillor Terry Christopher, Mayor of Monmouth, as a token of appreciation for the Welsh town’s support for the frigate.

The brass bell was cast before the warship was commissioned in September 1993 and, although its role on board is largely traditional and symbolic – they are no longer sounded to announce the change of watch – they remain a much-loved feature.

Key equipment has been removed from the ship, as well as some of the more treasured symbols and objects which are unique to a warship – badges, tampions, honours board and of course, the ship’s bell.

In keeping with naval tradition, the names of children who have been baptised on board are engraved on the inside of the bell, which served as a baptismal font.

It has stayed with the ship throughout her 28 years as a commissioned warship, during which the Plymouth-based frigate sailed in excess of half a million miles and visited over 200 ports.

Her last deployment was to accompany the Royal Navy’s first fifth-generation aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, in 2018 when she sailed to the east coast of the United States on trials.

In a ceremony in the council chambers attended by members of Monmouth’s Royal Naval Association, Cllr Christopher welcomed guests on a “bittersweet” occasion.

“In 2004, the town council bequeathed to the ship the Freedom of the Town and since that time, the relationship between the town and the various ship’s companies has gone from strength to strength”, said Terry.

“I first had the honour and privilege to welcome HMS Monmouth in 2007 and on that occasion, the commanding officer Cmdr Tim Peacock presented me with his book: it was a wonderful experience to welcome the crew home after their circumnavigation of the globe.

“Once we heard the news of the decommissioning of ‘Monmouth’, it was met with great sadness and regret, coming as a little bit of a shock” he added.

“We would like to thank Steve Reah for all the hard work of securing the bell for our town” he said.

Replying, Lt Cdr Reah said that the Royal Navy and the thousands of sailors that have served on HMS Monmouth thank the town and associated affiliations “for the extremely close bond that has existed, including being awarded the Freedom of the Town in 2004.

“It gives me great pleasure to present the ship’s bell from HMS Monmouth to the beautiful town of Monmouth” he added.

“The presentation of the bell serves as a fitting memory of this 28-year relationship, and we hope Monmouth enjoys displaying it for many years into the future.”

Lt Cdr Reah, who served on the frigate between 2002 and 2004, then returned for her final days said he “felt very much like the Grim Reaper” in preparing the ship for disposal and was determined the people of Monmouth had something to show for their long-standing support for the Type 23 and all who served in her.

“The freedom of Monmouth marches would have been a great highlight for anybody who served on board, the last was held in March 2019,” he continued.

“The Navy follows strict gifting rules, including ship’s bells, but we wanted to ensure this gift happened for Monmouth.”